Toronto gunman had ‘severe mental health challenges,’ according to family

WATCH: New details have been revealed about 29-year-old Toronto Danforth shooter Faisal Hussain, including that he was on the police radar for mental health issues dating back to 2010. Catherine McDonald has more.

Faisal Hussain was identified as the gunman in the Toronto Danforth shooting that took place on July 22, 2018.
Handout/ Hussain family friend

“We are at a terrible loss for words but we must speak out to express our deepest condolences to the families who are now suffering on account of our son’s horrific actions,” Hussain’s family said in a statement.

“We are utterly devastated by the incomprehensible news that our son was responsible for the senseless violence and loss of life that took place on the Danforth.”

Police were on scene searching his Thorncliffe Park Drive apartment Monday night, in which he was said to live with his parents.

WATCH: Family of Toronto Danforth mass shooter speaks out

1:20Family of Toronto Danforth mass shooter speaks out

Family of Toronto Danforth mass shooter speaks out

According to a source who has met the family, Hussain was the son of Canadian parents of Pakistani origin who have been struggling through major challenges.

Hussain’s sister died in a car accident and his brother is hospitalized following a stroke, the source said. Hussain worked in retail and would accompany his mother to the hospital to visit her infirm son.

“Our son had severe mental health challenges, struggling with psychosis and depression his entire life. The interventions of professionals were unsuccessful. Medications and therapy were unable to treat him. While we did our best to seek help for him throughout his life of struggle and pain, we could never imagine that this would be his devastating and destructive end,” the statement said.

“Our hearts are in pieces for the victims and for our city as we all come to grips with this terrible tragedy. We will mourn those who were lost for the rest of our lives.”

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But it remains unclear what drove him to carry out what had the appearance of a planned attack, or why he chose to target Toronto’s Greektown neighborhood.

The National Council of Canadian Muslims said they were “shocked an angered by this shooting attack.”

“There can be no justification for such acts of brutal violence. We urge everyone to wait for the police investigation to provide answers about this devastating situation before speculating about motive,” officials said in a statement.